Joplin routs Camdenton to claim share of Ozark Conference title

img_9875-9

By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Every coach will try to run from a celebratory Gatorade bath, but in reality they love it; it’s the unofficial moment of accomplishment.

Curtis Jasper received the most meaningful of his three years in Joplin on Friday.

Joplin’s 49-7 home win over Camdenton – the team’s most complete performance of the season – not only represented the Eagles seventh victory of the year, it also clinched at least a share of the Ozark Conference championship for Joplin.

The program’s first since 2008.

The only way to describe Joplin’s performance is dominant.

The Eagles outgained Camdenton 408-181, which included holding the Lakers to just 37 rushing yards. The Eagles also forced three turnovers.

It was again the youth movement that powered Joplin offensively, with sophomores Blake Tash, Zach Westmoreland and Isaiah Davis all having career days.

Westmoreland, who continues to make a case for OC Offensive Player of the Year, racked up 116 yards from scrimmage on just nine touches, finishing with five total touchdowns.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME

Camdenton coach Jeff Shore, who has seen the best in the Ozarks for several decades, had high praise for the standout receiver.

“We knew he was going to be an issue,” said Shore. “He reminds me of Dorial Green-Beckham because of how tall and fast he is; it’s tough match up. Problem was we couldn’t stop them with six in the box and we had to leave him one on one and that’s a scary proposition.”

Westmoreland’s night coincided with quarterback Blake Tash completing 16 of his 24 attempts for 213 yards and a pair of scores.

Tash is completing 75% of his passes on the season and has thrown just two interceptions all season.

Maybe the biggest surprise of the night came in the form of Isaiah Davis, who started in place of leading rusher Ja’Shawn Ellis.

Davis rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown on a workman-like 22 carries.

“It’s been a season of growth for him, not saying that he couldn’t have done that early, but you can see in his body language and demeanor how confident that he is,” said Jasper. “He’s really been able to add some weight and I told him today that I was excited about watching him run and he didn’t disappoint.”

The Eagles defensive effort was nothing short of outstanding.

Holding a Shore-coached team to less than 100 yards rushing is rare, as is keeping them to just seven points.

Joplin has now given up a combined seven points to Camdenton and Lebanon in consecutive weeks, a testament to defensive coordinator Nick Reid.

Reid, the 2005 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year at Kansas adds a level of accountability that the defense has responded to.

“It’s team defense,” said Jasper. “When Coach Reid was a player, he was a heck of a player and he was a leader on the field; there’s a reason there’s a banner at KU of him. He brings that same leadership to the defense and he doesn’t accept anything but their best and they’re giving every bit of that right now.”

All that stands between Joplin and an outright conference championship is a win over Hillcrest on Friday.

Jasper’s closing quote to his team ended with him repeating that their work isn’t done.

With so many youngsters playing major roles for Joplin, the role of getting the Eagles refocused falls on senior leadership, something Jasper feels like he has plenty of.

“I visited with each of the seniors this summer at their houses and we talked about how the foundation was built, but there were no walls put up yet,” said Jasper. “I told them this week that we have the chance to put up the first wall, something tangible that people can see. This is the first wall and now we’ve got to add to it. We have to continue to build and these seniors will make sure everyone is focused.”

Joplin will host Hillcrest next week. Camdenton welcomes defending OC champ Glendale.

A Joplin loss and Camdenton win forces a two-way split of the conference championship.

Joplin 49, Camdenton 7
Camdenton 0-0-7-0 – 7
Joplin 14-13-15-7 – 49

Scoring Summary
First Quarter
Joplin – Zach Westmoreland 11 rush (Garrett Landis kick)
Joplin – Westmoreland 1 rush (Landis kick)
Second Quarter
Joplin – Westmoreland 50 pass from Blake Tash (Landis kick)
Joplin – Landis 38 field goal
Joplin – Landis 26 field goal
Third Quarter
Camdenton – Jake Hill 80 pass from Isaiah Lumley (Coleman Baker kick)
Joplin – Isaiah Davis 35 rush (Landis kick
Joplin – Westmoreland 34 pass from Tash (Davis rush)
Fourth Quarter
Joplin – Westmoreland 1 rush (Landis kick)

Related Posts

Loading...